Early 17th century; earliest use found in William Strachey (1572–1621), historian of Virginia. From post-classical Latin polyandrium place of burial for a number of people and its etymon Hellenistic Greek πολυάνδριον, use as noun of neuter singular of Hellenistic Greek or Byzantine Greek πολυάνδριος (adjective) of or relating to many men from ancient Greek πολυ- + ἀνδρ-, ἀνήρ man, male + -ιος, suffix forming adjectives.